heating coil springs
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Senior User
Joined: May 2007
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From: winnipeg
heating coil springs
I got an 86 2wd and was wondering how hard it would be to lower it, I've heard of people heating the coil springs red so they compress a bit, is that a good idea? ... its just for the meantime, as soon as I fix my crew cab ill be taking this truck apart for my 4x4 (body parts and stuff)
This is a experiment ill be driving for maybe a month tops!
so long term problems don't matter to this ride
any info will do
Thanks
Joe
This is a experiment ill be driving for maybe a month tops!
so long term problems don't matter to this ride
any info will do
Thanks
Joe
Last edited by joewaldner; Jul 18, 2007 at 02:21 PM.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
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From: Virginia
If you are going to do a homemade drop, you can cut a coil off the springs. If you go just a little bit, you might get away with the alignment, but that's usually not enough for the "look". For the really dropped look, you need to get lowering beams or change the whole frontend out.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 62
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From: Virginia Beach
I wouldn't do it. I'd be concerned with tempering the spring and making it brittle. If it's a temporary ride, why bother? Put that time & effort into your other truck, that's the one you want to drive anyway.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 526
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From: Spokane, WA
I drove for years on a set of "torched" springs. It is fairly easy to do but it is also easy to go to far! First thing is to figure out how much you want to go down then mock up some frame supports so they stop the drop when you get to the desired height. Then start at the bottom of the spring and start heating a coil...roughly half a coil until it start to collapse. while you are doing this watch your frame / support relationship..it changes fast! When it starts to drop stop your heating until it settles.
The other trick is you need the tires to slide or you won't see the true results until you drive it due to tire/ground friction. I use 2 pieces of formica with grease between them. jack the wheel up, place the two pieces under the tire and lower it again. If you push down on the bumper you will see the tire slide across the ground.
To drop it roughly 2 inches you will collapse 1 full coil. They do not get brittle, they actually get spongy. Some people reach in the side and torch just one side of 2 or 3 coils...that makes them bow out and work horribly.
Kenny
The other trick is you need the tires to slide or you won't see the true results until you drive it due to tire/ground friction. I use 2 pieces of formica with grease between them. jack the wheel up, place the two pieces under the tire and lower it again. If you push down on the bumper you will see the tire slide across the ground.
To drop it roughly 2 inches you will collapse 1 full coil. They do not get brittle, they actually get spongy. Some people reach in the side and torch just one side of 2 or 3 coils...that makes them bow out and work horribly.
Kenny
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Spokane, WA
Yes it will change the alignment! The only thing easily adjustable is the toe so you should check it before you drop and after. If it has changed, put it back to the pre drop measurement. It also changes chamber but this is a good thing. The F150 has a ton of postive chamber stock and eats up the outside of the tires, dropping it 2 inches (well, my drop was 2 inches) will give you negative chamber and you are looking for roughly 1 degree negative chamber. If you acheive this the tires will last 2 to 3 times longer than they used to.
Kenny
Kenny
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